Chanalyzer displays RF data collected from Wi-Spy spectrum analyzer, showing you the channels and frequencies where Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and other possibly interfering devices are active in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Wi-Spy is a custom USB spectrum analyzer designed specifically for troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues. Unlike most Wi-Fi tools, Wi-Spy is able to measure ALL RF signals, not just Wi-Fi traffic. With Wi-Spy DBx, you can measure RF signals in the 5 GHz band, which is quickly becoming as crowded as the 2.4 GHz band!

By integrating the raw RF signal measurements from Wi-Spy with standard information from your Wi-Fi radio, Chanalyzer creates a complete picture of how Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi transmitters impact your wireless networks, giving you the information you need to resolve the issues affecting your users.

Choose the best channel

Because you’re better than auto-channel selection

Chanalyzer shows you the signal strength and RF activity of co-channel networks, overlapping channel networks, and non-Wi-Fi transmitters on each Wi-Fi channel. The Density View gives you a color-coded snapshot of both Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi activity at any given frequency on your chosen band, and the Channels Table lets you view more details about your chosen networks. Armed with this information you can pick the quietest channel for each of your access points.

There are three types of interference that can eat away at your Wi-Fi network speed.

Overlapping Channel interference occurs when networks are on adjacent channels that overlap.

Co-channel interference happens when multiple devices are competing for airspace on the same channel.

Non-Wi-Fi interference is the hardest type to see. Baby monitors, microwaves, wireless security cameras, and other devices transmitting in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band can all cause non-Wi-Fi interference. You can see this type with Wi-Spy and Chanalyzer.

Fortunately, overlapping channel interference can be reduced or eliminated by simply selecting the proper Wi-Fi channel for your network. But which channel is the right one?

To answer that question, let’s get technical for a moment. The 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n spectrum (a.k.a. where your Wi-Fi lives) is made up of 11 channels, centered 5 MHz apart. Each channel is 20 – 22 MHz wide. For all the channels to peacefully coexist, the 2.4GHz band would need to be about 242 MHz wide, but it’s not. It’s only 100 MHz wide. So, the band is pretty crowded. The channels have to overlap each other to cram into a too-small space, and this is how you get overlapping channel interference.

Why is overlap bad?

Every channel in the 2.4GHz spectrum is overlapping, except channels 1, 6, and 11. It’s bad because Wi-Fi is a very polite conversation. If your wireless router hears others talking on the same channel, it will wait for its turn to talk. If there are a lot of routers talking, there’s going to be a lot of waiting around. You can lose 40-60% of your performance this way. Keep your network antisocial and isolated on either channels 1, 6, or 11, and you won’t have that problem.

The second type of interference (Co-channel interference) isn’t as big of a deal. Think of it as a “if you can’t avoid them, join them” situation. If you can’t pick a non-overlapping channel that no other networks are on, it’s ok to share a channel. It’s still better to choose 1,6, or 11 (even if you have to share with another network) rather than choose another channel that is NOT 1, 6, or 11.

The last type of interference (non-Wi-Fi interference) is problematic because your computer’s Wi-Fi card can’t see it. Luckily, Wi-Spy can, and it works with Chanalyzer to give you better insight into your Wi-Fi network than ever before.

Chanalyzer will allow you to see all the surrounding networks in your environment and will help you eliminate the first two causes of interference (co-channel and overlapping). With the addition of Wi-Spy, Chanalyzer visualizes the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz RF spectrum, so you can see interference caused by baby monitors, microwaves, wireless security cameras, Xboxes and any other nearby device transmitting in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum – all of which are invisible to your regular Wi-Fi tools.